Chicago, Illinois 09/24/2000 09:00:00 AM
Harlequin, a subsidiary of Global Graphics (EASDAQ: GLGR), announced today at Graph Expo that it has signed an OEM agreement with PISCES-Print Imaging Sciences Inc., to use Harlequin’s industry-leading ScriptWorks® RIP in PISCES’ JetPlate™ System. With the integration of ScriptWorks, PISCES will be able to offer a unique low-cost, high quality computer-to-plate system with digital color proofing included as part of the system package– providing both productivity and accurate color at a reasonable cost.
“We’re pleased to be offering ScriptWorks as part of this technology,” says Bruce Harrison, President of PISCES. “Harlequin’s reputation for performance and quality, as well as their color expertise and support of device profiling, are key ingredients in allowing us to provide a truly inexpensive yet complete computer-to-plate system. We believe the system will have a significant impact on the future of small printing enterprises.”
Awarded a Hot Pick at Seybold Boston, 2000, JetPlate is built around the Epson Stylus Color 3000 inkjet printer. The system package includes two printers, one for direct imaging to metal plates and a second for direct digital proofing on standard proofing materials.
PISCES has developed and implemented two important modifications to the Epson printer which allow JetPlate to image directly onto metal plate material and to achieve greater accuracy in its media handling. First, PISCES has developed a patented fluid which is jetted through the Epson print heads to image on standard subtractive aluminum plates. Secondly, PISCES has modified the Epson 3000’s media feeding to achieve more precise registration between plates. The output resolution, up to 1440 x 720 dpi, supports conventional screening, error diffusion screening and Harlequin’s patented stochastic screening - Harlequin Dispersed Screening, or HDS.
The proofing printer included with the package is a standard Epson Stylus Color 3000, driven by the same RIP that drives the platesetter, thus ensuring digital integrity. Utilizing Harlequin’s color management features on both the proofer and the platesetter, PISCES is able to output proofs and plates that provide an exceptionally accurate match between the proof and final press output.
ARTQUEST LICENSES HARLEQUIN SCRIPTWORKS TECHNOLOGY FOR CRESCENDO SYSTEM
Intended for publishers and graphic designers, Crescendo converts PostScript, PDF, as well as Scitex files into PDF-IT 1.3 files, an Adobe-compliant (PDF 1.3) high-resolution bitmap. Crescendo merges all the page components into a single page in PDF-IT 1.3 format, with a predictable size. The PDF-IT 1.3 file can then be used at every stage of production – including proofing, imposition and printing. The ScriptWorks interpreter will perform format conversions.
"ScriptWorks' PostScript Language Level 3 features combined with its reliability and power will allow ArtQuest to offer our clients the best RIP technology possible," says Antoine Clément, Director of Marketing for ArtQuest. "In addition to our new PDF-IT technology, we now offer one of the best solutions on the market."
A new file format for the printing and graphic arts industry, PDF-IT 1.3 will revolutionize the industry as we know it. The PDF-IT 1.3 format is the result of processes developed by ArtQuest for the graphic communications industry and is compatible with the PDF language developed by Adobe.
PDF-IT 1.3 is both a page storage process and a clever use of the now widespread PDF format. The problems associated with image storage, including access speed, compression rates and the availability of page sub-elements, were frequently addressed through the use of alternative, often proprietary formats.
PDF-IT 1.3 is ArtQuest’s response to these problems. It consists of a known format, capable of processing images as well as pages, using a free, highly compact format (the most compact known of at present for pages). In addition to complete reliability that sets it apart from the competition, PDF-IT 1.3 has a very high loading speed and considerable e-business potential. It links the world of paper and the Internet due to its progressive resolution system. In short, it combines security and flexibility.
SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING AND HARLEQUIN SIGN OEM AGREEMENT
Harlequin announced today at Graph Expo that it has signed an OEM agreement with Scitex Digital Printing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scitex Corporation Ltd.
Harlequin’s Loadeable Edition (LE) RIP will be used to support Scitex Digital’s high speed digital printing systems and the Scitex ComposerTM suite of applications. The LE RIP is a “GUI-less” edition of the industry-leading Harlequin® ScriptWorks® interpreter, delivered as a “kernel” or DLL (Dynamic Link Library) for OEMs to embed in an application or workflow system.
Released by Harlequin at Drupa 2000, ScriptWorks LE allows for maximum “branding” and customization of OEM products, enabling OEMs to develop everything from a very simplified system to a complex customization. Unused functionality is eliminated from the RIP, but Harlequin’s renowned core RIP remains at the heart of LE, wrapped in a layer of service code that provides an accessible and highly extensible API for OEM integration and customization.
“We were impressed with how quickly and seamlessly we were able to integrate ScriptWorks LE into our product line and begin shipping,” says Steve Goldberg, Scitex Digital Printing’s Director of Systems Engineering. “The support from Harlequin throughout this process has been outstanding.”
Scitex Digital Printing has been a pioneer in the development and manufacture of computer-driven, high speed digital printing systems based on patented ink jet imaging technology. Variable data applications such as direct mail, bar codes and imprinting have long been handled with Scitex Digital Printing Systems – which offer high throughput and exceptional quality.
The Scitex Composer software is a suite of application software modules developed specifically to use with the Scitex Digital Printing’s family of high speed digital printing systems. The modular and scalable architecture runs under Windows NT and is available in two versions – one supporting monochrome applications, and the other supporting full process color applications.
“We’re pleased to be working with an OEM of Scitex Digital Printing’s reputation,” says George Wiseman, Harlequin Vice President of Sales. “Our ScriptWorks LE RIP is clearly a good fit for Scitex’s needs in terms of speed, robustness and adaptability, and we look forward to a successful relationship.”
Editor's Notes
About PISCES:
PISCES -Print Imaging Sciences Inc., is a Nashua, New Hampshire-based company whose primary mission is the development of innovative ink jet systems for the printing and publishing industry. Founded in 1998 by a group of industry veterans, the company has combined the resources and talents of a number of chemists, rheologists, physicists, imaging and systems engineers, color scientists, and printing technologists to develop the first in a series of products, the JetPlate. This system has already won an award as a Hot Pick at Seybold Seminars Boston in February 2000.
About ArtQuest:
ArtQuest (ME: AQ.B) is a high-technology company that designs, develops and markets innovative computerized solutions for the printing and graphic design industries. The company’s technological platform ensures a complete and flawless analog-to-digital transition in the printing process, thus allowing users to substantially reduce costs and printing delays by eliminating traditional film. Because of its open-ended architecture, ArtQuest’s software is compatible with equipment currently used in the printing and graphic design industries. ArtQuest has a presence in Canada, the United States and France and markets its products in Europe and North America through OEM partners, as well as through a number of other distributors. Its products are currently sold in over 22 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, visit their Web site at: www.artquest.net.
About Scitex Digital Printing:
Scitex and the Scitex logo are registered trademarks and service marks of Scitex Corporation Ltd.Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. is a world leader in ultra-high-speed digital printing solutions with over 5,000 system installations worldwide and in a variety of applications ranging from addressing, personalization and variable messaging, to direct mail and short run book printing and bill and statement printing. The company’s products include the VersaMark high resolution page printing systems and the Dijit range of narrow format printers. Scitex Digital Printing is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scitex Corporation Ltd. Scitex Corporation Ltd., a world leader in digital imaging solutions, is building a network of market leading, innovative companies focused on combining the power of the Internet with digital imaging technologies to create a world of visually rich business communications. Scitex shares trade on NASDAQ under the symbol SCIX. For more information, please visit our web sites at www.versamark.com, www.scitexdpi.com, and at www.scitex.com.